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18 January, 2019 - Update on WBS School Building Issues

The Department of Education and Skills has today (Friday January 18th) announced that the second phase of assessments at schools built by Western Building Systems is now being initiated.

These detailed investigations have been scheduled following the programme of initial structural assessments which were carried out in October and November 2018 at 42 schools constructed by Western Building Systems.

The initial assessments resulted in precautionary measures being put in place at 22 schools as an interim response.

The second phase of assessments now being initiated will involve detailed investigations to determine and design permanent remediation solutions. This second-phase programme will focus initially on the bundle of 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented.

John Sisk & Son has been appointed as the contractor to conduct the opening-up and testing works to facilitate the investigations. Ove Arup and Partners Ireland Limited (t/a Arup) has been appointed to carry out the investigations and to design the permanent engineering solutions as required for each individual school.

Five schools are scheduled for detailed assessments in the first tranche of the second phase programme (see table below for details).

Investigation work will take place at weekends to prevent disruption to the schools.

A schedule for investigations in the remainder of the 22 schools in which precautionary measures were implemented will be finalised when assessments of the first five are completed.

Second-phase investigations also includes Ardgillan Community College, part of which remains closed.

Building investigations in schools that did not require precautionary measures will be scheduled for the 2019 summer break.

The investigations will inform the permanent works required in the schools. The delivery of these works will be planned when the extent of the work needed is established. Works will be prioritised for delivery with the aim of maximising use of school holiday periods.

Precautionary measures will remain in place at the schools until permanent solutions have been implemented.

School principals are being kept fully informed and are assisting with arrangements for the second phase assessments. School authorities are communicating directly with parents on developments.

ENDS

Schools scheduled in first tranche of second-phase building investigations programme

Presentation Convent NS Portarlington

Carrigaline ETNS

Scoil Chaitlin Maude NS, Tallaght

Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada, Lucan

St. Paul's NS Ratoath

Notes for Editors:

Summary of Initial Structural Assessments

19 schools cleared to open in full, without any internal or external intervention

County

School Name

Roll No

Dublin

Luttrellstown Community College

76130P

Dublin

Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Dublin 18

20425U

Dublin

Broombridge Educate Together National School

20453C

Dublin

Scoil Choilm Community National School, Porterstown

20241K

Dublin

Gaelscoil na Giúise, Firhouse

20412L

Meath

Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg, Dunboyne

20082Q

Laois

Maryborough National School, Portlaoise

14838N

Dublin

Scoil Aoife Community National School, Citywest

20422O

Donegal

Letterkenny Educate Together National School

20235P

Dublin

Firhouse Educate Together National School

20411J

Wexford

St. Joseph's Primary School, Gorey

18280I

Dublin

Lucan Community National School, Balgaddy Rd

20426W

Wicklow

Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath

20301C

Dublin

Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School

20176C

Dublin

St.Francis of Assisi Primary School, Belmayne

20304I

Dublin

Belmayne Educate Together National School

20308Q

Galway

Galway Educate Together National School

20000L

Kildare

Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha

20428D

Westmeath

Mullingar Educate Together National School

20188J

19 schools enabled to open in full, following external precautionary measures in the form of a fence around the building (or part of the building) and protective decking

County

School Name

Roll No

Dublin

Scoil Chaitlín Maude, Tallaght

19872P

Dublin

Castlemills Education Centre, Balbriggan

n/a

Meath

St Paul's National School, Ratoath

20215J

Kildare

Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Athy

16705E

Kildare

Athy Model School (GP Hall Extension only)

06209J

Kildare

Gaelscoil Átha Í (GP Hall Extension only)

20192A

Dublin

Lucan East Educate Together National School

20303G

Laois

Convent National School, Portarlington

15556I

Cork

Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Rochestown

20335T

Laois

Gaelscoil Phortlaoise

20081O

Laois

Portlaoise Educate Together National School

20347D

Meath

Coláiste De Lacy, Ashbourne

76196W

Meath

Gaelscoil na Mí, Ashbourne

20382F

Meath

Ashbourne Educate Together National School

20396Q

Dublin

Griffeen Valley Educate Together National school (2003 Phase only)

20166W

Cork

Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty

20006A

Cork

Cara Junior (Special) School - required at one part of building only

20354A

Cork

Carrigaline Educate Together National School

20310D

Cork

St Colman's Boys National School, Macroom

15597W

3 schools which were enabled to open following the implementation of internal engineering solutions and external precautionary measures